What does upholding mean?
Upholding means supporting, defending, or maintaining something valued, especially a principle, right, institution, or agreement. In its most common use, it has a strongly positive, formal character: to uphold justice is to defend its principles in practice, not merely to express agreement with them. The word can also describe maintaining an existing arrangement or standard, such as an agreement, tradition, or professional code. As the present participle of uphold, it appears naturally after forms of be, as when someone is described as “upholding democratic values.” Less commonly, it functions as a noun meaning the act of support or defence. Although its physical suggestion of holding something up is possible, modern usage is overwhelmingly figurative. The word is useful because it conveys active commitment: it combines approval with the implied effort required to protect a value against pressure or decline.
Supporting, defending, or maintaining something, especially a principle, right, institution, or agreement.
"The witnesses were praised for upholding democratic values despite intimidation."
This is the present-participle form of uphold and is commonly used after forms of be or as a modifier.
The act of supporting, defending, or maintaining something, especially a principle or right.
"The ceremony celebrated the upholding of freedom throughout the community."
The noun is less common than the participial use and often appears in formal constructions such as “the upholding of” a principle.
The plural is grammatically standard but relatively uncommon in modern usage.
"Her upholdings of equality in the workplace earned her widespread respect."
Upholding began with a physical grip: keep something from falling; today it means keeping a principle from giving way.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does upholding come from?
Upholding is the present-participle and gerund form of uphold. Uphold was recorded in English in the early 16th century and combines Old English upp (“up”) with Old English holdan (“to hold”), a Germanic verb that also underlies words such as withhold and holder. The -ing form follows the ordinary English pattern of forming present participles and gerunds from verbs.
Related word forms
How upholding is actually used
Upholding is usually formal and often approving or laudatory. As a participle, it commonly follows forms of be; as a noun, it is relatively uncommon and often appears in constructions such as “the upholding of” a principle or right.